The Pakistan Railways (PR) will float international tender for obtaining used locomotives on lease and deferred payment basis. An official of the PR told APP that the maintenance of these locomotives would be the responsibility of the successful bidder during the contract period.
To a question, he said, the contract agreement for procurement of 58 (3000/2000 horse power) diesel-electric locomotives amounting to US $ 48.431 million has been signed to M/s CSR Ziyang, China on 07-12-2012.
He said locomotive were scheduled to be arrived here by the end of November, 2013 to June, 2014, he added.
To a question, he said, there was no proposal under consideration to ply new trains during the current financial year 2013-2014.
The Pakistan Railways was operating 208 passenger trains in the year 2010-2011 which were reduced to 74, however, due to restoration of 22 trains the figure at present is 96 passenger trains per day.
The official said the Pakistan Railways would try to create balance among passenger and freight operations in future. At the present, the Pakistan Railways is only planning to enhance the number of freight trains in the fiscal year 2013-2014.